Which is better: A Snickers or a Baby Ruth? We asked kids and adults to taste seven pairs of candy bar doppelgängers and name their favoritesby Carolina Santos-Neves

W
hile most of us think we know what candy bar brands we prefer, only a blind taste test can reveal the truth. So we put our money where our mouths are and set our to find the best miniature (or "fun size") candies for your trick-or-treat or candy bowl stash.

To make things more interesting, we decided to pit lookalike candies against each other. Our doppelgänger contestants included Hershey's Reeses Pieces vs. Mars Peanut Butter M & Ms, Hershey's Bliss dark vs. Dove Promises Dark, and five other pairs. In addition, we had two separate panels: one composed of adults and another with kids ages 10 to 17.

Methodology: In a blind taste test, eight adult and eight kid judges compared the flavor and consistency of seven varieties of chocolates and their doppelgängers. Each judge then identified his or her preferred sample in each pairing. The winners are below.

Several kids remarked on the "soft and gooey" texture of the Junior Caramels, while adults liked the more intense buttery caramel flavor of the Milk Duds. One grown-up divulged their addiction and said, "I still get these whenever I go to the movies."

The younger judges described their pick as "very crunchy," "rich, "wonderful!" They felt the competitor was far too bitter and not milky enough. On the other hand, adults favored Krackel for its intense dark chocolate and pronounced puffed rice flavor and crunch. "The combination of the dark and bold-tasting chocolate and the puffed rice brings out an unexpected nutty undertone, said one adult.

Kids favored Baby Ruth for its "salty and sweet crunch." They acknowledged the "delicious peanut-buttery" flavor. Adults declared this chocolate their favorite because it was more "natural"-tasting than the Snickers, less sweet, and had large peanut fragments. "Hits the spot," announced one adult.

"Amazing, absolutely amazing!" is how one child taster declared his love for Reese's Pieces. Others enjoyed the candy's saltiness and mild peanut butter flavor. Adults, on the other hand, preferred the M&Ms for their robust peanut butter taste and thick, crunchy outer shell, which protects a delicate and smooth filling.

The decision was unanimous: Both kids and grown-ups preferred Hershey's brand for its creamy taste, smooth consistency, and slight fruity undertone. "It is not too sweet, and it melts in your mouth just as it should," said one adult. Nestlé, on the other hand, had a peculiar aftertaste and a grainy texture that was less appealing.

Although most of the kids did not like dark chocolate much, they chose Bliss in this face-off for its milder flavoran attribute adults appreciated as well. "Unlike the Dove, it's not bitter at all," said one adult. "Love the delicate and silky texture," said another. Many felt that the Promises were a touch chalky, and suggested the Dove might be best when used for baking.

The kids did not really enjoy either of the mint patties, but picked Pearson's because it was soft and tender and far less minty. Adults loved the whole York experience from beginning to end, from the snap of the chocolate shell, to the thickness and density of the mint filling. All adult judges agreed: "No contest, this is the clear winner."